Nagpur: Petrol pump owners in Nagpur and other parts of the state have complained that some oil marketing companies have stopped supplying diesel on credit abruptly breaking the long-standing practice in the business. A formal complaint was also lodged before state’s minority commission chairman Pyare Khan alleging unfair decision by an oil company.Khan told TOI that he received a complaint specifically naming an officer of executive director rank in one of the govt oil marketing companies. The complaint was filed before him in his capacity as state’s minority commission chairman, as a number of petrol pump owners belong to minority communities.The stance by the oil companies is expected to disturb the entire trade cycle. Earlier, the companies used to prompt petrol pump owners to lift stock on credit. In turn, the pumps sold diesel on credit to the transporters. Now, if the companies suddenly demand cash for replenishing the stock, it would be difficult for the outlets to shell out funds. They would have to first recover the amount from transporters. However, if the outlets are unable to refill tanks for want of funds, it may ultimately hamper transport of goods on the highways if diesel is in short supply, a source said.“Such an abrupt decision would disrupt the entire chain. The companies should have given at least a month or 15-day notice to the pumps before shifting to the new system,” said Khan.A source in the petrol dealers’ association said that in some cases, the companies are simply saying that there is no stock if the purchase is not in cash.
